A good solid challenge from the Don. Progress was slow but steady and I learnt a couple of new words along the way. Thanks Don, for a workout that was more than satisfying.
Independent 9307 / Phi
Well, this really has us puzzled! As it’s a Phi, we’re sure there is something going on here, but we have no idea what it is. There is a very well-known composer … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26,961 by Enigmatist
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26961.
Financial Times 15,316 by REDSHANK
A cobweb-clearer for me
Guardian 26,960 / Paul
A rather tough challenge from Paul today, especially in the parsings, one of which I’m still not sure of. Thanks to Paul for the workout. Across 8 Italian broadcast in stereo (8) TORINESE … Read more >>
Independent 9,306 / Monk
It has been a while since it last fell to me to blog a puzzle by Monk. Monk is one of those compilers whose puzzles I have been solving regularly for many years … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,307 – Mudd
Monday Prize Crossword / Aug 1, 2016
While Mudd usually is a bit Paul in a lower gear, I thought this one was excellent.
Financial Times 15,306 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of July 30, 2016
Financial Times 15,315 by MONK
I always enjoy Monk puzzles, varied and entertaining. They are not as intimidating as they used to be, I no longer have any fear of failing to complete the puzzle in time for the blog (now only Io occupies this territory). Thanks Monk for another fun puzzle.
Guardian Cryptic 26,959 by Picaroon
Tough and very nicely clued – many favourites, including 11ac, 12dn and all of the four-letter ones: 13ac, 18ac, 2dn and 22dn. Thanks, Picaroon
Independent 9305 / Dac
Dac has given us a puzzle today with many basic, but well disguised, cluing techniques When I first started writing this blog, I was struck by the number of clues … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1449: Pleasant Spot by Shark
Shark sets an Inquisitor puzzle about twice a year. The preamble in Inquisitor 1449 stated that the wordplay in thirteen clues leads to the answer with one letter missing. In … Read more >>
Independent 9,304 by Hob
For some reason I didn’t really enjoy this a lot, although I can’t explain why: it is all reasonably sound and there are some quite good clues. It just seems a little clunky: few of the surfaces read very well; indeed, it is hard to think what some of them mean. And the clues are on the long side.
Perhaps it was just that it was rather difficult.
Apologies for the delay: as you may be aware, the site was inaccessible earlier this morning.
Definitions underlined and in maroon. (Something seems to have gone wrong: that was the intention, but in fact the definitions are in black and the answers are in maroon.)
Guardian 26,958 – Imogen
Setters continue to be inspired by the UK political situation… …specifically in this case mostly by Theresa May, and other meanings of her surname. I found this quite hard, with some tricky clueing … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,314 by ARMONIE
Good Tuesday solve from Armonie, a new setter to me.